COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Job Description:

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Description

Description

Highly responsible professional fluent in the fundamentals of public relations and communication. This position will take the lead on communications strategy and be responsible for communications deliverables. It will be responsible for the execution of the County’s communications strategy which fosters public understanding and awareness of County goals, programs and services encompassing everything under the purview of the Board of County Commissioners. The position provides residents, media and public at large with accurate, timely and consistent information, increasing transparency and community engagement. The position will be adept at developing relationships, engaging in community activities and serving as the spokesperson for the County when required. Performs work with significant independent judgement.

Examples of Duties

• Creates, implements and manages all aspects of the County’s communication strategy including the design of processes and procedures for cataloguing County activities for publication. This requires application of superior project management skills, relationship building and attention to detail.
• Takes the lead on the development and management of short, mid and long-term communications goals, plans and strategies ensuring consistent, thoughtful and effective communication is executed; directly supervises staff in the execution of those goals and strategies.
• Creates, maintains and updates a comprehensive Communications Strategy for the County.
• Works with the Communications Team and County Leadership to translate directives, policies and goals of the BOCC into strategic media relations and initiatives that promote awareness of priorities, activities and critical information.
• Executes all duties with exceptional writing, editing and communications skills resulting in uncompromisingly high output standards.
• Takes the lead in a collaborative environment to execute social media activity and public relations opportunities. Specifically, monitors social and transition media activity that should be incorporated in communications planning and response.
• Oversees electronic communications such as social media and similar content for the County website.
• Cultivates internal and external relationships allowing for information gathering, synthesizing and distribution.
• Independently researches, creates and develops internal stories and reports for information propagation.
• Proactively engages with internal departments to document and supply material for publication related to County activities.
• Develops and implements public communication strategies to provide a constant flow of public information and awareness.
• Executes all external media relations, coordinates responses and media outreach on key initiatives.
• Both during business hours and outside normal business hours, attends and chronicles community events, emergencies, and other situations as directed.
• Oversees the day-to-day social media calendar, scheduling posts, creating content, monitoring performance, sourcing and editing images, and other similar activities.
• Prepares press releases and external communications for the media and the general public regarding operations, programs, and events.
• Responds to the media, public, and outside agency inquiries and requests for information concerning County operations, programs, and events.
• Responds to and coordinates media requests for interviews; arranges and coordinates news conferences; conducts inter-agency interviews in compiling information.
• Disseminates information and recommends communication strategies during an emergency event while actively contributing as a team member in the Emergency Operations Center during any and all crisis, natural or otherwise.
• Serves as communications advisor to County Leadership, providing technical support in all forms of communication and direction in the area of media relations.
• Supervises the work of subordinate personnel; supervisory duties include instructing; planning; assigning and reviewing work of others; maintaining standards; coordinating activities; allocating personnel; selecting new employees; acting on employee problems; recommending employee discipline and discharge; reviews the work of subordinates for completeness and accuracy; evaluates performance and makes recommendations as appropriate; offers training, advice and assistance as needed.
• Attends staff meetings, commission meetings and community meetings as directed, to effectively carry out the responsibilities of the job.
• Assists the public in addressing requests and complaints; determines appropriate County action to resolve issues; establishes and maintains effective and positive relationships with the community.
• Writes and edits copy for in-house news, public news releases, feature stories, pamphlets, scripts and other related documents.
• Photographs and records special events and participants.
• Completes special projects as assigned.
• May operate vehicle and a variety of equipment, which may include a computer, printer, telephone, calculator, copier, fax machine, other office equipment.
• Attends and remains at work regularly and adhere to policies and procedures regarding absenteeism and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and leave requests.
• Performs other duties as required.

(These essential functions are not a complete statement of all duties required of the job. Employees will be required to perform such other related job duties as may be assigned or required.)

Typical Qualifications

Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Broadcast Media, Public Administration or related field and five (5) years of progressively responsible experience as a communications professional, public information officer, journalist, public relations specialist, project manager or a combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Experience supervising staff. Experience using and a working knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud Suite including but not limited to ID, ai, PS, and similar publishing tools. Requires a valid State Driver’s License.

Supplemental Information

• Knowledgeable in the methods, policies and procedures of the Department and County as they pertain to the performance duties of the Communications Manager.
• Ability to comprehend the intricate relationships between the Board of County Commissioners, other government agencies, advocacy groups, corporate entities and the public at large. Must be able to independently recognize the interrelated nature of local government work and, with awareness, quickly craft material for publication.
• Knowledge of local, state and federal requirements as they pertain to the position.
• Knowledge of the functions and interrelationships of County and other Governmental operations.
• Ability to comprehend, interpret and apply regulations, procedures and related information.
• Knowledge in interpersonal and administrative skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively, tactfully and persuasively with members of the general public, subordinates and other County staff in difficult situations, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to ensure Departmental compliance with all laws and regulations and control the activities of the Department through effective supervision.
• Knowledge of administrative principles involved in developing, coordinating and supervising various programs and related activities.
• Ability to offer instruction advice to subordinates regarding Departmental policies, methods and regulations.
• Ability to plan, organize and prioritize daily assignments and work activities.
• Ability to learn and utilize new skills and information to improve job performance and efficiency.
• Ability to make public presentations.
• Knowledge of modern office practices and terminology.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, elected officials, community interest groups and the general public.
• Knowledge of proper English usage, punctuation, spelling and grammar.
• Ability to operate and maintain a variety of office equipment as necessary in the performance of daily activities.
• Ability to assemble information and prepare reports and records in a concise, clear and effective manner.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality as required.
• Ability to use independent judgment and discretion in coordinating Department Programs; making sound decisions; determining procedures; setting priorities; setting schedules; maintaining standards; resolving problems; performing routine and non routine tasks.
• Ability to work under stressful conditions as required.
• Ability to react calmly and quickly in emergency situations.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL SKILLS:

• Tasks may require extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.
• Stooping
• Sitting
• Kneeling
• Bending
• Crouching
• Reaching
• Standing
• Walking
• Lifting and carrying up to 10 lbs.
• Pushing and pulling

(Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability)

Work Environment

• Works inside in an office environment.
  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications will continue to be received until the listed closing date or the position is filled, whichever is earliest. Submission of an application does not guarantee the applicant an interview. Applicants will be subject to a criminal background check.

Nassau County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug Free Workplace. Nassau County values the service veterans and their family members have given to our country and that the County supports the hiring of returning service members, military spouses, and their family members as such this position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference in accordance with applicable laws.

The information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, environmental conditions, or qualifications required of employees assigned to this position. This position may be required to work in a safety sensitive capacity at any time based on emergency declaration or other operational need. Nassau County reserves the right to edit or re-write this job description at any time.

This position is not eligible for benefits.

Salary:

$58,282.50 - $88,683.68 Annually